The importance of SOLAs (and Stomp Aqua) for vegetable growers

Following on from the latest Specific Off-Label Approval (SOLA) for the residual herbicide Stomp Aqua in outdoor cabbage, vegetable grower Stephen Watkins regards this herbicide as his foundation product across the farm and supports the principles of the SOLA process that leads to products being able to be used on minor crops.

On the NFU Horticultural Board and farming over 500 acres of vegetables and 500 acres of sweet corn in the Vale of Evesham, Stephen Watkins regards pendimethalin as a cornerstone product across the farm. "I use pendimethalin on carrots, onions and sweet corn as well as in cereals. It is a very important active ingredient and one that we must retain in the longer term. One aspect of pendimethalin is that it seems not to be a particular problem to the Water Boards, which is positive."

"Vegetable growers have lost quite a few active ingredients in the last few years as they are just too expensive for the manufacturers to maintain registration. The manufacturer of pendimethalin, BASF, however have developed a strong list of crops on the Stomp label including all cereals, carrots, parsnips, onions, leeks, brassicas and potatoes. It is not easy to maintain such a comprehensive list with the costs involved. There is also a very long list of SOLA’s for Stomp Aqua which are a really important to the horticultural grower. Without SOLA’s many vegetable and grass-seed growers would be struggling. I would however support a simplification and standardisation of applying for a SOLA, as it is a complex and costly process for a small individual grower to undertake."

Currently Stomp Aqua has over 20 SOLA’s including lettuce, field beans, broad beans, lupins, celery, fennel, grass-seed crops, baby leaf salad crops and sweet corn and with the SOLA’s on herbs further extending the range of crops. The latest SOLA for Stomp Aqua is for the control of broad-leaved weeds and Annual Meadow-grass in outdoor cabbage.

Growers need to obtain a copy of the notice of approval to use Stomp Aqua in outdoor cabbage via the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) web site, ADAS offices, the HDC or NFU. The SOLA reference number is 0650 of 20109. Growers are advised to test a small area of crop prior to commercial use and are reminded that SOLA’s are used at the growers’ risk.